Vintage Galvanized Wash Tub Herb Garden

Hello! This is a really fun post so I’m happy you are here…if you’re as ready as I am for some summer fun then you are definitely in the right place! To start I’m sharing my vintage galvanized wash tub herb garden.

First up is my herb garden…and this year I bought my herbs early so I didn’t have to go on the hunt. Last year I was hard pressed to find basil. For the past few years I have tried to plant an herb I’ve never used before. Along with my can’t-do-without basil, mint and rosemary I planted garlic chives and thyme.

I’m excited about the chives because I make roasted potatoes a lot in the summer. I usually use rosemary but I think the chives will give them a whole different taste. I’ve already started drinking Mint Lemonade too. Having fresh mint is one of my favorite summer pleasures.

Growing herbs in containers is easy and having them right outside my door is a definite plus. The most important things to remember are to start out with fresh soil and to make sure the containers get plenty of sun. Any type of container will work as long as it’s got drainage. I didn’t want to drill holes in these wash tubs just in case I ever wanted to use them for something else. I used packing pillows in the bottom before I added the soil. You could use packing peanuts too if you have them.

I used a couple of vintage buckets (from last year’s herb garden) for sweet potato vine and some little petunias just to add a little color.

So…that’s the happy corner of my deck. The other corners aren’t so happy yet but I’m working on it!

Update June 2016: We had one of the wettest summers ever in 2015 and after one exceptionally heavy rain my herb gardens overflowed a little. There was no place for all that water to go since the tubs didn’t have any drainage holes. I decided to go ahead a drill one big hole in each corner of each tub. That was ample drainage and they never overflowed again. In a normal year I think the packing pillows would have worked perfectly. I know drilling holes in a vintage container totally deflates the value. I have no plans to sell mine and the reason I purchased them was for container gardening…so the holes didn’t bother me. If you can’t bring yourself to drill holes in your containers (and I totally understand) just be prepared for some overflow!

Thoughts from my friends...

My absolute favorite spot in summer is our patio. It has a pergola over, with a trumpet vine that grows so thick and fast – the blooms are beautiful! It has a clematis vining up one post and the flowers this morning are gorgeous. We put our outdoor furniture set under there, along with a carpet, and have strung up lights. It’s a magical, relaxing place.

Love your galvanized wash tub herb gardens, Ann. Also saw you have planted sweet potato vines in one of your pails. All the garden experts say that particular plant is easy to grow. So the first time I planted mine, I was sure this would be the STAR of my little balcony. Unfortunately, this star’s light went out almost immediately. I’m sure your sweet potato vines will flourish and be beautiful.

I love to decorate our front porch with baskets of flowers, windchimes, sea shell themed lamp and candle holders and new cushions for the chairs and loveseat this year. Last year in Maine I found the sweetest enclosed glass candle holders on 2 1/2 ft metal spikes which get placed in the garden with votives and provide romantic low light. Love your sweet potato vine with petunias and think i will add them to our front porch steps.

Ann, you know me. I decorate all of my outdoor spaces!!! I just came inside from painting a birdbath blue! Somehow I missed this post, but I’m entering the giveaway! I would spend the $300 on more flowers!!! Love your tubs of herbs! They should do well on your deck!

I love to decorate the screened porch where it is protected from the many wonderful creatures that we have in the neighborhood. There is a family of 9 deer that is on our property – they are beautiful but can be destructive when it comes to plants and herbs so I try to keep the herbs I want to use during the summer in my screened porch in a corner where they can get plenty of sun. We also have a red fox or two and other less friendly animals but we love living next to the state park where they all run wild.

I love growing herbs and try to start as early as possible, but sometimes I just don’t make it. For the past two years I have missed out on rosemary. This year I lucked up and got it early. This is the best little outdoor patio garden and I love your tags.

I love our enclosed porch. We have a bench that I found at a yard sale for $10 that we refurbished. I hope to add some potted plants and a small table. I love sitting out there in the evenings. It is a great place to read.

Love this! I have a galvanized tub herb tower by my back door that I built a few years ago. I’ve used my herbs much more since I located them so close to my kitchen. It’s one of my favorite spots in my garden but I love decorating my screened porch the most. My African violets & other houseplants always spend the summer there. We eat all of our family meals there as well. My new addition this year is an Ozark farm fairy garden (I live in the Ozarks) made in three little wagons all different sizes.

It all looks so pretty! But then again, everything you do, looks pretty:) my mom has some old tubs like that, and she’s been wanting to use them. I’ll have to send her on over to your blog so she can see how pretty these are! Can you believe this crazy weather? lol! Time for another bonfire:)

Such pretty containers for an herb garden, Ann! I made the mistake a few years ago of not taming the mint in my side yard (it was here when I moved in) and it took over the space. I’m trying to convert all of my herbs to containers now but I think instead of pots I need some of those galvanized tubs. Thanks for the inspiration!

I wish I could grow herbs!!! It’s so easy for most people but here in the Albuquerque, NM area, when it’s hot and windy, they just die!! Even if you water them a couple of times a day, they just burn up, at least in our yard. ours looks just so lovely!! Enjoy them!!!!

I love using galvanized metal for growing almost anything, I have even used watering troughs and feeders in the past, and I think they look so pretty. They are easy to maintain an no weeds. I’m like you Ann I love mint, but it is so invasive that the best place to grow it is in a container.

My favorite out door space is my covered front porch which is approximately 27 ft by 9 ft. I have lots of white wicker furniture and this year my cushions are blue and white and I have used accent colors in yellow and lime green. I make my own wreaths and I change them out according to the season/holiday/occasion. I have a bench that I coordinate with the wreath with pillows, flowers and other objects. My porch has lots of plants and it is also the haven to my cat Sandy.

I’ve just finished looking at all the blogs…oh, so much inspiration! I have a front porch and a covered deck and have loved decorating both. You can never have too many outdoor sitting areas. We find we move around and sit in different areas at different times of day. It’so nice to view your out-of-doors from different perspectives. Thank you for so many great ideas.

Ann, Great idea for small spaces, love the idea of using packing pillows. Since I have trouble getting up & down in the garden, this is great for me as containers can be set a different heights. Thanks for sharing. Jo

Great post Ann. Love those herbs. I do the same with all of my big pots,only I use some of our recyclebels. I save plastic milk jugs,deli containers,any plastics that I would normally put in our recycle bin. Wash them, and put them in the bottom of my pots. Allows for drainage, and on my huge pots I am not using so much of the expensive potting soil. I am sure your place is looking beautiful now. Happy Memorial Day weekend! Barbie

Ann, what a great idea to use the galvanized tubs and air pillows for your herb garden! And I love the little id tags too! And, like you, I like to look for little ways to dress up my outdoor areas for summer; and I especially enjoy “opening up” my screened porch.

Love your galvanized herb garden! What a great idea. I plant my herbs each year in a tiered planter, but next year I think I will use your idea. I have several galvanized buckets. My favorite outdoor place to decorate is my deck/patio area. We have a built in outdoor pizza oven so we entertain out there a lot.

Love your herb garden – my thumb is not very green but going to give this a try! Will put on small patio right outside my screened in porch did already by a fairly established tomato so fingers crossed on some additional herbs.

Love your washtubs!! I haven’t planted yet since it has been cool and rainy. My son built me cedar planters for my patio and we plant herbs in them. gardening is such a rewarding hobby. Thanks for sharing.

I agree with the other posts. Light Bulb time! Knew about packing peanuts but didn’t even think about the air pillows (and I already save them for Christmas packages). I love herbs, too and galvanized wash tubs. Really enjoy your blog!

I have a small covered porch off my kitchen that I love to decorate in the summer. I just wish it was a little bigger. Using air pillows as a filler in large containers is brillant!! I too plant some herbs and I agree that you can’t wait too long to purchase them or they’re gone! Love your blog, Ann! Heather in Canada

It’s like a light bulb just came on – using air pillows instead of stones for the drainage! Ann, you always have the best blog!

Search

Categories

Categories

Welcome to

On Sutton Place

A blog about a house that I lovingly transformed into a home. It didn't happen overnight and it didn't break the bank. This is where I decorate, bake and create... and share DIY ideas that anyone can do. Click my picture to learn more.

My Latest Videos

Subscribe and get My eBooks!

Shop My Home

Turn on your JavaScript to view content

Amazon Affiliate

On Sutton Place/Ann Drake is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

guest post policy

At this time, On Sutton Place is not accepting guest posts of any kind.

Summer Fun!

Disclaimer

By accessing or using any page on On Sutton Place, you agree that you have read, understand, and will abide by the following:

Disclosure: Some pages and posts contain affiliate links, or link to eBay where I am a content contributor. I may earn a small commission for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to products featured on this site. At no additional cost to you, your purchase helps support my work and keeps this site running. Thank you!

Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information displayed on this website, On Sutton Place/Ann Drake makes no guarantee as to the procedures & information contained here. The publisher will not be liable for direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages in connection with or arising from the use of the information displayed on this website. On Sutton Place is not intended to substitute for the advice of a professional.

Printables & Images Policy: Please do not use my printables for anything that is sold or alter them in any way. Please do not post one (or more) of my printables on your site without my permission. If you would like to feature one of my images, please ask first. This includes, but is not limited to, other blogs, round-up sites and magazine publication sites. I can be reached at ann@onsuttonplace.com.